Michelle May O'Neil

Ms. O'Neil founded the firm based on her desire to provide clients with high-quality representation in a personalized atmosphere. She has over 18 years of experience representing men, women, and children related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as "a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty", Ms. O'Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client's difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client's goals.

Ms. O'Neil became a certified family law specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997 and has maintained her certification since that time. Representing clients in litigation before the trial court is an important part of her practice. In addition, family law appellate matters are a niche of Ms. O'Neil's practice. Lawyers frequently consult with Ms. O'Neil on their litigation cases about specialized legal issues requiring particularized attention both at the trial court and appellate levels.

Most recently, Ms. O'Neil was asked to participate in co-authoring a book entitled All About Texas Law and Kids, scheduled for publication by Texas Lawyer Press in the Fall of 2009. The State Bar of Texas and other providers of continuing education for attorneys frequently enlist Ms. O'Neil to provide instruction to attorneys on topics of her expertise in the family law arena. She has, further, been honored by her peers with an "A-V" peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directories for the highest quality legal ability and ethical standards, as well as selection as a Barrister in the Annette Steward Inns of Court, an organization devoted to the professionalism of the practice of law.

In addition to her service to the legal profession, Ms. O'Neil actively serves the community. Altrusa International Inc. of Dallas, Texas, a professional women's community service organization, selected Ms. O'Neil to serve as president from 2005 to 2007. During her term, the group received the Nina Fay Calhoun Award for International Relations for their work with Refugee Services. She also founded the project D.U.N.K. - Dallas Uniforms for Needy Children - providing donated uniform clothing to underprivileged children in the Dallas Independent School District.